Slovenia Weekly

Slowely, but surely

21.07.2017

Foto: Tamino Petelinšek/STA

This year Slovenia is optimistically predicting the highest economic growth since 2008. Slovenia's economic growth was among the highest in the euro area in the first quarter of 2017, when it reached 5.3%. The economic situation remains favourable at the start of the second half of the year, which is also having a significant influence on reducing unemployment.

Over the last three years, says Prime Minister Miro Cerar, the Government has largely fulfilled the commitments it made at the start of its mandate, although it is not about to rest on its laurels. "We must continue together along the path of a modern, progressive Slovenia, with its gaze fixed firmly on the future. All of us have reason to be proud of what we have achieved, but let me emphasise that it is essential to maintain our sober approach and continue with the gradual reduction of the general government deficit," said the Prime Minister following a regular session of the Government at which starting points for the drafting of amendments to the 2018 and 2019 budgets and a breakdown of budgetary expenditure were adopted, with additional funds earmarked for security and defence and investment in health care, infrastructure and science – all of which are national priorities for the Government.

In the first six months of this year, the national budget achieved 9.1% more income than in the same period last year, while expenditure was down by 1.6%. As a result, the national budget showed a surplus of 65.3 million euros in the first half of the year. Slovenia is currently among the most successful countries in terms of the management of general government debt.

Another important contribution to economic growth has come from the digital transformation of Slovenia, the subject of Public Administration Minister Boris Koprivnikar's recent speech in Tallinn, and Slovenia's commitment to the realisation of the 2030 Agenda, as presented by Development Minister Alenka Smerkolj in New York. The construction of the second track of the Divača–Koper railway line, another of the priorities of this Government, will also have a significant impact on Slovenia's economic growth and development.

At a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels on Tuesday, 18 July, Slovenian Agriculture, Forestry and Food Minister Dejan Židan officially announced Slovenia's intention to take the European Commission to court.
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Following his meeting with Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović on Tuesday, 18 July 2017, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen called on Slovenia and Croatia to resolve their dispute over the border and offered Austria's help in this process.
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In response to the CEF Transport Blending Call for Proposals, and with the technical support of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Slovenia submitted on 13 July 2017 a proposal for the construction of seven tunnels on the second track of the Divača–Koper line.
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